How to Lose Postpartum Weight- From Bikini Competitor Winner to Now


How to Lose Postpartum Weight


Everyone asks me for fitness/diet-related tips!  I have to tell you, I am not a professional when it is related to weight loss.  I am simply a nurse and, now, a mama! 

Just a little background, when I became a nurse, I gained a quick 25 pounds!  This was due to the fact that I did not party during school and I could finally go out!  I hired a local trainer to help me, and she is absolutely amazing!  She helped me feel confident, and lose that weight. 

Then, a few years later, I decided to do a bikini show!  I recently completed my double-master's degree, so I guess I needed a new "challenge".  I got the nutrition part from my trainer's partner!  It was a rigorous 20-week prep.  But I did it!!  I won first place in novice, and second place in open!  It was an amazing accomplishment!  (If you're wanting to compete in a show, make sure that you hire a professional for your nutrition and training.  I couldn't have done it without my team).  

Fast forward to my pregnancy, and I gained 50 pounds!  50 pounds!!! I wasn't allowed to workout due to my heart rate and blood pressure.  So this was a major adjustment.. Going from working out very rigorously, to sedentary.  It was hard.. very hard!  Do you want to know a secret... I gained 70 pounds from my show weight!  7-0!   My body literally gained 70 pounds in three years.  Wow!  How do you go from a bikini show winner to being grossly overweight (and pregnant), and not even able to walk on a treadmill for 20 minutes?

I am now back to my pre-pregnancy weight.  But it took two full years! And things are still weird.  Like I can't wear my old jeans.  That is a-okay with me!  I found even more awesome jeans that I love!

So I'm sure you're all wondering how I did it, and what magic pill I took?  Unfortunately, there is none!  I have no real secret!  I just tried to eat healthy, including all food groups, and moved my body on most days!  I eat pizza mostly every week, and still eat ice cream and fries with the little one. Consistency is key.  However, I do have some major pointers on how to lose postpartum weight.

What helped me the most was getting an updated fitness tracker.  I use the Fitbit Blaze and absolutely love it!  https://bit.ly/2PPNMZn

It would show me how many days I did (or didn't) workout, and push me to ensure that I would at least go for a walk!

I also purchased this video set that changed my life!  The workouts are only 30 monites and intervals are only 30 seconds!!  I modified.. A LOT.. but I kept at it.
https://amzn.to/2BU52a9

If  I didn't have time for a full workout; I would Youtube workout videos and use 3 lb weights!  https://bit.ly/2Si5k27.  This way, I could do a different workout everyday!  Sometimes, I would throw in a workout video and "jump" with the little one.  Other days, I would go for a walk with her.  Now-a-days, I turn on music and we have "dance parties".  Whatever it is.. I try to move and make sure my little is having fun, too!!


Some pointers for postpartum weight loss: 



1. Stay consistent
2. Move your body on most days
3. Eat a variety of healthy foods (do not restrict a food group)
4.  Use a fitness tracker to motivate and keep yourself honest
5. Give yourself time
6.  Be kind to yourself
7. Make sure you incorporate rest days
8. Eat the pizza (or the cake), and get back on track the next day
9. Celebrate what your body can DO and not what it CANNOT
10.  Listen to your body (if you're not feeling well, or something is feeling funny during a workout.. STOP!)

I also know that people are wondering what I eat during most days!  My diet is not perfect, let me tell you!!

Breakfast- Greek yogurt with strawberries
Snack- Banana and handful of cashews (or candy if I'm at work.. if I'm being honest)
Lunch- Large salad with veggies, fruit (and croutons.. can't give those up), Italian dressing, and roll
Afternoon snack- Strawberries (probably more candy) or popcorn
Dinner- Pasta/pizza/ hoagies/ chicken and veggies.. Whatever we, as a family, are having

I also try to drink a lot of water!  The main word is TRY!  I drink a lot of coffee and diet pepsi.  (I told you I am not a professional).

This is what worked for me and my weight loss journey!  Make little changes, they CAN and WILL make a HUGE impact!

Thanks for stopping by!


💓-Ashley

*Make sure you consult a physician before starting any exercise or workout program. Again, I am not a professional and simply stating my personal tips for my weight loss.
 Also note that my links are commissioned links .Meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission from the retailer at no additional cost to you.

Do You Date Your Spouse?

Do you Date Your Spouse?!




Do you "date" your spouse?? I used to think that was silly when I was younger, not married and without kids when someone said they "dated" their spouse! I guess I was just naive and didn't understand what it really meant.  However, now that I have been married for 4 years, and have a small child, I know realize how important it is to date your spouse.  Even if it is just for a quick dinner, by ourselves, it is nice to get away and just have time to ourselves.  (Even though we mostly talk about the little one).

We recently went to a college football game and had a blast!  It started raining, and we were running around the city, getting to our car, in the pouring rain!   It was so much fun!!!

Have you ever gone an entire day and not even really look at your spouse?  Not even realize what they had on?  I'm guilty for that and need to fix it ASAP!  It's so very hard with the busyness of life and how hectic it could be.  Let me know your date night ideas!

Best Coffee Mugs for Mamas!

Best Coffee Mug for Mamas




I'm waving the white flag today.  The sweetest girl was up many times during the night and finally woke up at 430am, for the morning!  I am thankful I get to be with her today, and will get extra cuddles since we're both exhausted.  

If you see me today, I'll most likely be in my pajamas, with coffee in hand, probably a cupcake in the other.. but definitely coffee.

However, lets talk about the best coffee cup for mamas!  It would be this Tervis coffee mug WITH A LID!  I am way TOO nervous to have hot coffee around the little one.  So I always use a lid on my coffee cups.  Also, I can heat my coffee up.. you know.. 3 times or so during the day!

Nurse Tervis mug: https://bit.ly/2zYH0Lu 


Thanks for stopping by!
💗-Ashley

Fall Favorites!


Since it is officially fall, I figured I would do a post on my favorite fall activities!!!

1.  Anything PUMPKIN (see above picture)!  I love decorating pumpkins, decorating with pumpkins, pumpkin patches, and all things flavored pumpkin!!!

  • My favorite is pumpkin coffee and pumpkin coffee creamer!!!  Oh! And we cannot forget about pumpkin Reese's cups!  Perfect combination of chocolate + peanut butter! 

2. Apple picking and apple season!!! I love all of the different apples flavors that are so fresh and crunchy!!

3. Fall fashion!! I love cardigans, cozy sweaters, scarves, and boots!!! Layer on the fall goodness!!!

4. Evening walks with crisp, cool breeze!! There is nothing better than a nice walk with a cool, crisp breeze, and you're bundled up in a warm and cozy jacket!!

5. Baking!! I love to bake when it is cooler out!  I mean, who likes to bake in the summer? And let's be honest.. I love baking anything, you guessed it.. PUMPKIN!!!

6. Jumping in leaves!!!! It is so much fun to jump in a pile of leaves and laughing!

7.  Holidays!!! Who doesn't love fall holidays!  I love Halloween and seeing my sweet girl dressed up and pick out candy (even though she didn't eat any last year.  And most importantly, Thanksgiving.  It is such a beautiful day of family, food, and reflection of everything you have, and everything to be thankful for!

What are some of your favorites?!

Thanks for stopping by!!

❤️- Ashley

How to Style a Blanket Ladder for Decoration


Since taking pictures of my sweet girl in her "picture chair".  I realized that I needed something else behind it!  I saw a cute blanket ladder and realized that I could use that as a focal point behind the chair!  I saw a cute 4 foot ladder, and once I measured, realized that was way too small.  Can you believe that this is a 6 foot ladder?!  I couldn't believe it!!  

I am also going to continue to decorate this ladder for each of the seasons!  I am thinking about lighted garland for Christmas, eggs around Easter, and different felt banners for other seasons!



Here is the before and after with what I had before the ladder, and after the decorated ladder!!  I couldn't love this MORE!!!


The little took this picture of her precious teddy bear!  She set him in the chair, made him say "cheese", and hit the button on my phone!!!  I think she is loving the ladder, too!!

What do you guys think?

Thanks for stopping by!

💗-Ashley